Formula 1: Stopping chase after driving lesson in the “Green Hell”

After the successful excursion into the Eifel and passed driving license for the green hell, Max Verstappen begins the final season countdown in Formula 1. And after the “rebirth” of Monza, the Red Bull camp is expecting further victories of the four-time world champion. “As far as Baku and the fast routes are concerned, I am very optimistic,” said motorsport consultant Helmut Marko to the specialist portal “Motorsport.com”. “Usually we have problems on slow routes, but I now believe that everything is possible in this phase.”

Monza was not a “mayfly”

One who knows very well what it is when – as this season – two McLaren pilots fight for the title and in the end a different triumph, Verstappen also trusts in the World Cup fight. “In fact, I think this is absolutely realistic,” said Norbert Haug to the German Press Agency.

“In the remaining eight main races alone, there are still 200 points to be awarded, plus points at sprint races. Anyone who has experienced astonished victory in Monza and has the necessary perspective knows that this was not a route-specific flag,” emphasized the 72-year-old, who spoke of a “rebirth”.

In 2007, two McLaren pilots have already competed for the title. You still drive in the motorsport king class today: Lewis Hamilton (back then in his first Formula 1 year) and Fernando Alonso (came as a two-time champion from Renault). Unlike Oscar Piatri and Lando Norris, who maintain a rather polite and fair handling, the barn duel was completely escalated at the time. In the end, Kimi Raikkonen won the title in Ferrari. Haug was the head of the Motor sports at McLaren partner Mercedes.

When asked what influence the so-called papaya rules, according to which there is no number one and the decision between the stable rivals on the route, can have the 2025 World Cup decision, Haug replied: “Of course, everyone says, the two McLaren Mercedes drivers steal each other. If it shouldn’t work with the World Cup title, then it was the case. “I speak out of painful experience here.” 2007 just.

As a four- or five-time champion for the 24-hour race?

Can Verstappen become a profiteer this time? It is clear that the Monza appearance for the Dutch and the team managers was a good mood uphill. The 27-year-old also used the past Formula 1-free weekend to secure the driver’s license for the Nordschleife, in April next year he will start the 24 hours-already approved by the team.

It is not likely that he will compete there as a five -time champion, but also not impossible. In addition to the maximum of 200 points for eight Grand Prix victories, there are still a maximum of 24 points from the three additional sprint decisions.

And Verstappen knows how World Cup fight works. He knows the tricks, he knows the necessary nerve games, he has the routine and now also the serenity and sovereignty of a repeated world champion and 66-time Grand Prix winner. In this exposed form, Piatri and Norris are the first time in the focus of a title decision.

Anything but a triumph of the 24 -year -old Australian or the 25 -year -old British in the driver’s ranking would be a bitter disappointment – and also a little embarrassment in view of the leadership of the two in the classification. Remember: The British racing team can again win the constructor evaluation on Baku’s road course this weekend.

Approach screams “for tension and conflicts”

However, the strategy of the team bosses repeatedly causes discussions. Neither should be preferred. Piatri and Norris are supposed to carry the duel on the route. Finally, it led to Piatri Norris ahead after his crashed pit stop – and that is exactly what followed. “Lando Norris’ World Cup ambitions were kept alive by his McLaren team,” the British “Independent” then whispered.

The risk that both will (too) will get close to the McLaren rules. Not that it hadn’t happened anyway. In Montreal, Norris drove into Piatri’s car. Norris resigned, Piatri saved himself to finish fourth. But something like that costs points. “Of course, this approach screams for excitement and conflicts in your own team,” says Haug: “But if it is clear beforehand who can and who is not allowed to win and who does not, the team disintegrates and that is right to those responsible.”

So free travel and a duel on the track – or a three -way battle for the title, if Verstappen now gets really started.